A at 21 Months

This little guy is growing up so quickly!

At 21 months, his stats are:

• Weight: 25.7 lbs.
• Height: 34½ inches
• Diaper Size: He's still in Size 4.
• Clothing Size: He's still wearing 18 Months but his pants are starting to look a little short!
• Likes: Talking about everything, learning and exploring.
• Dislikes: Being hungry or tired.

He is so smart and constantly amazes people with how much knows and can communicate.

This kid thrives on learning! He has a puzzle with the letters of the alphabet and was able to learn every single letter in just over a week! He can also count to twelve flawlessly {and thinks he can count through his teens, even though he says them all as "hit-teen" and repeats it over and over until he has worked through all of the objects he is counting!} and knows tons of shapes, such as diamonds and octagons.

He talks non-stop! We've lost count of the number of words he knows and he surprises me almost daily with new things that I didn't even realize he knew. He seriously amazes me.

I have also become cautious since realizing how much he is constantly listening and learning. On multiple occasions in the past week, he has repeated lyrics from songs on the radio that are hilariously awkward coming from the mouth of a 1-year-old... {Don't worry—nothing awful! He's just told me things such as "bringing booty back"... thank you Meghan Trainor!} We do a lot of driving around to help Baby E fall asleep in the car... and apparently it's having an effect on both kids!

He is also witty and has an adorable imagination. He loves playing games such as his magnetic marbles and chasing/hide-and-seek with daddy. He loves building caves and forts, reading books together, and pretending things {such as his cookie being a steering wheel or his Blankey being long hair}.

He is a fantastic big brother. It has been a struggle for him to adjust to sharing his parents with a new baby {especially since she has been a colicky baby}, but I have been so proud of him because he has tried really hard. He loves her so much and is very protective of her. He rushes to help get things she needs such as her bottles or supplies for a diaper change.

Although he cares a lot for his sister, he has been quite adamant about not wanting much physical contact with her. He even gets upset if her hand brushes past his foot sometimes. But as she gets older and more interactive, he has been warming up to her. He even let me have him hold her the other day for the first time!!

He's an includer and always wants everyone to participate. This list includes, but is not limited to: Daddy, Mommy, E, A {yes, he includes himself!}, Blankey, and Milky. I love this about his little personality and am so grateful he loves his family so much!

He is so much fun and loves being with his family, but he is definitely an introvert. He struggles with too much attention in large groups and getting some quiet time alone in his room helps him calm down. He is making progress socially and is more comfortable one-on-one with other people but still constantly checks to make sure mom or dad are still nearby.

Recently, he is starting to really enjoy time with his little friends. Our previous playdates were typically spent with the moms talking and the kids doing their own thing in different corners of the room. But lately, he loves to interact and play with other kids! He gets apprehensive if they make loud noises or act aggressively, but as long as they are willing to play as mellow as he does, he has a blast with them and really enjoys the friendships.

He's strong-willed but is so well-behaved for a toddler!! He is very obedient when we ask him to do something and doesn't like the rare occasions we get upset with him for negative behaviors. As soon as he does something he knows he shouldn't, he runs to his designated time-out spot and puts himself there! Luckily, time-out is something we rarely have to use because he behaves so well most of the time!

I am so grateful for this cute, clever boy! As our family has made the adjustment from one kid to two, I keep thinking how different of an experience this would be if he had any different personality. He is so much fun yet seems to know when I'm feeling sad or overwhelmed and comes to snuggle with me. I am so fortunate to have him as E's big brother and my little best friend.

Baby E's Blessing Weekend

Today was Baby E's blessing at our church. We go to church at 9 am and it was such a chaotic morning! A woke up early and super cranky, which woke E up early too. Both kids were crying throughout the morning while M and I were rushing around to get everyone ready plus tidy the house for visitors after church. We barely made it into the chapel on time for the meeting to start and A was literally screaming and had to go outside with his grandma. E was refusing her bottle and gagging, which had been my plan to have her content and not crying for the blessing. It seriously was the worst morning we've had in a long time—and on such an important day!

But then as M walked up to the front of the chapel with E and the other men who would be helping with her blessing, it was suddenly peaceful. I was amazed! My dad said that E smiled up at him and then just stared at the lights during the whole blessing. It was such a beautiful and peaceful moment!

M gave Baby E her blessing and it was absolutely lovely. I am so grateful to be married to a man who is worthy and takes his priesthood responsibilities seriously. He spent time over the weekend to ponder and focus to be prepared to give the blessing. He is such a good example to me and to our kids! I hope E can one day marry a man as amazing as her dad.

We chose to keep the event to just mine and M's immediate families. I was so grateful to everyone for making the time to share and celebrate E's big day with us.

My little sister wasn't able to be here with us because she is serving an LDS mission. Before she left, I asked if I could have a white skirt of hers and decided it would be fun if I made it into E's blessing dress. It was so special to me every time I looked at my beautiful daughter in a dress that kept a piece of my sister here with us.

Wedding Fun!

M's baby sister got married today. And of course, weddings mean we all get to wear color coordinating outfits! And let me tell you, having a family of two boys and two girls makes this really fun!!

Oh gosh, I love this matchy-matchy little family of mine!

I Hate Colic

See this little face. It's like totes adorbs, rights? 

Yeah, well this face is the warning before the storm. The little smile to remind us to keep loving on her once her tummy begins to rage and make her scream inconsolably for the next hour or two. This, my friends, is colic. And it's miserable.

This poor girl. She cries like she is hurting so much and yet we have no idea why. We've tried every suggestion we hear and nothing is really helping!! We took her to a chiropractor and that seems to help short-term, but after a couple days she's back to being upset again.

The part that is the hardest for me is that I struggle to separate the colic from Baby E herself. She is such a beautiful and sweet little girl; she can be absolutely delightful to be with. But the hours of screaming wear on me and make me feel frustrated. I really hate colic. But I love my baby girl.

Baby E at 2 Months

I love Baby E! Although we have had a battle with artist formerly known as colic, she seems to be having more good days than bad days lately and is more and more fun each day.

At her two-month pediatrician appointment, her stats are:

• Weight: 9.5 lbs.
• Height: 22 inches
• Diaper Size: Newborn diapers are still working for her but we will be switching to Size 1 as soon as we finish off our last newborn package.
• Clothing Size: Newborn but they are starting to be a bit snug even though 0-3 Months is still baggy on her.
• Likes: Being held, eating, bathtime, and smiling at her parents and brother.
• Dislikes: Having to take naps, not being held, and when her brother makes loud noises.

She gets 4 vaccines as her congratulations for turning two months. Even though the nurse does it as gently as she possibly can, it is heartbreaking to watch your baby get needles stabbed in her cute, little thighs and hearing that sad, in-pain cry.

Her personality is starting to develop and there are some really cute things that she is starting to do. She has started cooing and has the sweetest little voice. She especially loves her daddy and smiles the most for him, but she has also started smiling in the morning when she sees A. It's so cute how much she loves the boys in our life!

And my very favorite - I am convinced that she is starting to try laughing. There have been a few times while she has been smiley suddenly starts making a noise that sounds like a throaty giggle. It's absolutely adorable!